CountiesLincoln County
GeorgiaReservoirLincoln County
J. Strom Thurmond Lake
J. Strom Thurmond Lake covers about 71,100 acres of the Savannah River in Georgia. The lake is in Lincoln County. It is managed by USACE Savannah District. The gauge last read 321.10 ft.
Water level today: 321.10 ft · see the full record
Coordinates33.6611, -82.1992
Surface area71,100 acres
Max depth180 ft
RiverSavannah River
Managed byUSACE Savannah District
Swimming beaches on J. Strom Thurmond Lake
No named swimming beach is mapped yet for this lake. Access is through agency day-use areas and boat ramps listed below. We add beach pages only when we can confirm a name, coordinates and an operating agency.
J. Strom Thurmond Lake on the map
Lake center, swimming spots and access points.
Weather and water temperature
Air temperature and wind from Open-Meteo. Water temperature only when the lake has a public sensor.
Weather data by Open-Meteo · water temperature from USGS
Water level today
The level comes from gauge 02193900, THURMOND LAKE NEAR PLUM BRANCH, SC, and carries the time it was taken. The last value stored here, 321.10 ft, is from 2026-09-09. Over the record shown on the level page the gauge has moved between 321.23 ft and 331.18 ft (low on 2026-09-08, high on 2025-08-09). Water level decides what is usable on the shoreline, from beach width to ramp access.
321.10 ft -0.51 ft in 7 days
Planning a day at J. Strom Thurmond Lake
On the map, J. Strom Thurmond Lake is centered near 33.6611, -82.1992. Surface elevation is about 328 feet. The deepest point on record is about 180 feet. Water leaves through the Savannah River.
If J. Strom Thurmond Lake is busy, the nearest alternatives here are Lake Russell (South Carolina, 40 mi), Lake Greenwood (South Carolina, 41 mi) and Lake Murray (South Carolina, 57 mi). In all, 23 lakes in Georgia are covered here.
Swimming season in Georgia runs through the warm months, and day-use areas set their own opening dates. The same station reports water temperature, last read at 85.3 °F. Freshwater advisories are issued locally, so check the state health department before you swim.
The shoreline of J. Strom Thurmond Lake has 20 public recreation areas and 1 boat ramp in the datasets we read. Recreation areas nearby include Clarks Hill Park, Scotts Ferry and Lake Springs. Launch points include Modoc Ramp.. None is staffed by a lifeguard unless the managing agency posts one.
The level comes from gauge 02193900, THURMOND LAKE NEAR PLUM BRANCH, SC, and carries the time it was taken. The last value stored here, 321.10 ft, is from 2026-09-09. Over the record shown on the level page the gauge has moved between 321.23 ft and 331.18 ft (low on 2026-09-08, high on 2025-08-09). Water level decides what is usable on the shoreline, from beach width to ramp access.
Recreation areas on J. Strom Thurmond Lake
20 public recreation areas mapped around the lake by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Facilities vary by area; check the managing office for opening dates and fees.
Clarks Hill Park Scotts Ferry Lake Springs Petersburg Ridge Road Modoc Wildwood Park Keg Creek Hamilton Branch State Park Bussey Point Fort Gordon Recreation Area Parksville Wayside Parksville Cherokee Double Branches Dordon Creek Mistletoe State Park Landam Creek
Source: USACE Recreation Areas
Boat ramps and access points
Public launch points recorded around the lake. Low water can close shallow ramps, so check the level before hauling a trailer.
| Name | Operated by | Distance | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Modoc Ramp | Corps Of Engineers | 5.2 mi | source |
Ramp data: USACE Recreation Areas
Questions about J. Strom Thurmond Lake
Is there a beach at J. Strom Thurmond Lake?
No named swimming beach appears in the federal and state datasets this guide reads. Check the operating agency for day-use areas on the ground.
How big is J. Strom Thurmond Lake?
About 71,100 acres. Maximum depth is around 180 feet.
What is the water temperature at J. Strom Thurmond Lake?
The sensor last read 85.3 °F. The page refreshes it from the gauge when you load it.
What other lakes are near J. Strom Thurmond Lake?
The closest in this guide is Lake Russell, about 40 miles away in South Carolina.
Lakes near J. Strom Thurmond Lake
Other lakes in this guide, ordered by distance.
Lake Russell
Lake Russell covers about 26,650 acres in South Carolina. The lake is in Elbert County. Management is in the hands of USACE…
Reservoir
Lake Greenwood
Lake Greenwood is a reservoir of some 11,400 acres on the Saluda River, in South Carolina. You will find it in Laurens County.…
Reservoir
Lake Murray
Lake Murray covers about 50,000 acres west of Columbia, South Carolina, with roughly 650 miles of shoreline. It was impounded in…
Reservoir
Lake Oconee
Lake Oconee is a 19,071-acre reservoir on the Oconee River in Georgia. It lies in Putnam County. Georgia Power (FERC-licensed)…
Reservoir
Lake Hartwell
Lake Hartwell is a reservoir of some 56,000 acres on the Savannah River, in South Carolina. It is managed by USACE Savannah…
Reservoir
Lake Sinclair
Fed by the Oconee River, Lake Sinclair holds roughly 15,330 acres of water in Georgia. The lake is in Baldwin County. Georgia…
Reservoir
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Sources
Every figure on this page comes from one of these public sources.